Naga Figurine

National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy

Title : Naga Figurine

Accession No : 85/6911

Naga dolls depicting male and female with short bodies and large heads. The female figure is show with hair while the male doll is bald. The dolls are joined at the shoulders. Both the dolls have ear piercings, the female doll is depicted with gold earrings.

Gallery


Source

  • RepositoryNational Crafts Museum and Hastkala Academy
  • CollectionMuseum Collection

Provenance

  • CountryIndia
  • StateNagaland

Period

  • Start DateLate 19 - Early 20th century

Condition

  • ConditionGood
  • Action NoteCNR

Dimensions

  • Measurement (CMS)76 x 34.1 x 15.6
  • Weight (GRMS)0.00

Significance

  • ArtisticMost of the carved wood objects of the Nagas are made for functional and ritualistic purposes, the vocabulary of forms related to the ritual world of Nagas. The ceremonial wood carving is primarily related to the practice of headhunting, Feasts of Merit, and the morung or bachelor’s dormitory. Human figures, tigers, elephants, hornbills, pythons and bison’s heads are carved in high relief on the morung pillars.

Description

  • DescriptionNaga dolls depicting male and female with short bodies and large heads. The female figure is show with hair while the male doll is bald. The dolls are joined at the shoulders. Both the dolls have ear piercings, the female doll is depicted with gold earrings.
  • Inscription/Markings No
  • ReferenceAditi Ranjan, M P Ranjan (2005). Crafts of India, Handmade in India, National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad. Ahmedabad: Mapin Pub. ISBN 81-88204-57-9.
  • KeywordFemale, Man, Couple, Woman, Tribal, Traditional